Protecting Your Skin from the Sun

Sunlight can hurt your eyes as well as your skin. It contributes to your risk for developing cataracts, macular degeneration and more.

For best eye protection, choose wraparound-style sunglasses labeled as blocking at least 99 percent of all UV light. Wear sunglasses anytime you're outdoors. (Adding a wide-brimmed hat shields your eyes even more.) Polarized lenses cut glare, but don't stop UV rays. If you want polarization, make sure the sunglasses are also labeled for maximum UV protection.

Some contact lenses have UV shielding. Ask your eye health care professional about your brand. Even with UV-blocking contact lenses, you should still wear sunglasses that prevent the maximum amount of UV rays.

More Tips for Sun Protection

• Be careful about sun exposure at all times, but especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use a palmful of sunscreen (about one ounce) to cover your legs, arms, neck and face. Reapply after swimming, sweating or at least every two hours. And use lipblock, too.
• What you wear can help keep UV light away. Darker, tightly-woven fabrics are better than lighter, loose-knit or wet clothing. "A white t-shirt has an SPF of about 5; a wet, white t-shirt has an SPF of 1 or 2. That's not really protecting you," Dr. Berson says. Some clothing lines offer UV-protective fabrics in sportswear, bathing suits and hats.
• You may want to try a laundry additive that adds UVA and UVB protection to fibers in the wash load.
• Before going out, check the UV Index. This daily forecast included in many weather reports rates the intensity of UV rays expected each day when the sun is at its highest. Exposure ratings are scaled from 0 (minimal) to 10+ (very high). Use special caution anytime the UV Index is 5 or higher.
• Topical antioxidants applied to your skin can help prevent some sun damage, Dr. Berson says. Look for products containing antioxidants such as green tea, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C and retinol, a vitamin A derivative.
• Use face lotions (and makeup, if you wear it) containing sunscreens with at least SPF 15.
• When using insect repellents, apply sunscreen first. Do not use a combination product, because sunscreen needs to be applied more often than repellent.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that insect repellents containing the active ingredients DEET or picaridin are more effective than others. The higher the amount of DEET or picaridin in a product, the more hours of protection it provides. The CDC also found that oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based repellent, provided longer-lasting protection than other plant-based ingredients—and keeps bugs away as well as repellents containing low levels of DEET.